Starting with a summer professional internship project in 2011, Smithsonian Libraries has been working to share its collection of artists’ books. One of the end products of the this initiative has been the creation of a new Smithsonian Libraries artists’ book collection portal where visitors can explore the many artworks in the collection and learn more about the medium.
When working a in a library, sometimes you come across a book that demands your attention. I was recently captivated by Color: American Photography Transformed, a gorgeous catalogue from Fort Worth’s Amon Carter Museum of American Art. Nearly every page features large plates of snapshots, advertisements, and artworks. Each seems as fresh and vibrant as they must have appeared to their first viewers.
The Smithsonian Libraries is pleased to announce the new webpage of the Smithsonian Libraries Artists’ Books Collection!
Recently longtime museum supporter Betty Quirk brought a group to visit the American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery Library. Head Librarian Doug Litts set up a book display for the guests which included catalogues and several artists’ books.
This post was written by Anna Brooke, head of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Gallery Library.
We just can’t get enough of art book fairs! Local nonprofit, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, for printmaking, papermaking and book arts, sponsored the 13th Biennial Book Arts Fair and Conference, last month. As one of the DC tours offered to participants, the Hirshhorn Museum Library gave a presentation on our collection of artist’s books. American Art Portrait Gallery Library (AAPG) staff joined the presentation due to the large and enthusiastic response.
This post was written Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Gallery Library volunteer Shawon Sarkar.
In the middle of the vast collection of art books, exhibition catalogues, and serials, there are 20 black notebooks on a shelf at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Library. These are the press and publicity books holding archival materials on the founding of the museum, the past exhibitions, and the Hirshhorn family.
This post is submitted by Lilla Vekerdy, Head, Special Collections.
The Dibner Library of the History of the Science and Technology has acquired a nineteenth-century manuscript with artistically and scientifically outstanding watercolor illustrations.